During a Dec. 5 reception court proceeding, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn presided over counsels as a 46-year-old defendant accused of perpetrating a non-fatal shooting rejected a plea offer posed by the prosecution and informed the court about the poor prison conditions he has been subjected to.
Wayne Wheeler is charged with four counts each of first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, possession of firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, illegal possession of ammunition, malicious destruction of property greater than $1,000, and two counts of discharging firearms in connection to an incident on Dec. 20, 2021.
At Monday’s hearing, the prosecution proposed a plea deal entailing five years without parole for possession of a firearm with a felony conviction to run consecutive to 25 years suspend all but 10 years an additional firearm charge that is to run consecutive to nine years for assault in addition to a $500 restitution to the victim’s fund and registration as a gun offender.
Wheeler’s defense attorney, Judit Otvos, rejected this offer on his behalf.
Judge Phinn then inquired as to whether Wheeler had any concerns to address prior to adjourning the meeting, to which the defendant disclosed that the prison he is being held in is not allowing him to shower, not providing him with his medications and not feeding him adequately.
“I haven’t eaten in two weeks, and I’m losing weight! They’re not giving me my medicine or showers! I’m going to kill one of these officers in here,” Wheeler yelled.
Otvos responded, informing the court that she called the prison regarding these supposed conditions, but to no avail.
Phinn then contacted the prison, reiterating these concerns.
Parties hope these issues will soon be resolved.
The defendant’s trial date is scheduled for April 10, 2023, before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Schiffer.
Matters are estimated to last six days.
